Optimizing parameter setting for handover of mobile terminals on a transportation platform

ABSTRACT

A system and method for optimizing handover parameters for a plurality of mobile terminals on a common transportation platform in a cellular network includes at least a first terminal and a second terminal and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that each of the first and second terminal are on the common transportation platform, monitor a status of a handover attempt of the first terminal, and if the handover attempt is successful, adopt handover parameter settings of the first terminal for the second terminal, and if the handover attempt is not successful, change handover parameter settings for the second terminal.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/145,603, filed on Dec. 31, 2013, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP2012/058169, filed on May 3, 2012.The afore-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to handover of mobile terminalson a transportation platform, and, in particular embodiments, to asystems and methods for optimizing parameter setting for handover ofmobile terminals on a transportation platform.

BACKGROUND

The aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems, and in particular t4181o optimizing parametersetting for handover of mobile terminals on a transportation platform.

A cellular or wireless communication network generally includes a largenumber of cells. A cell, also may be referred to as a base transceiverstation or a base station, may be generally defined as a fixed-locationtransceiver. When a user is communicating via a mobile terminal ordevice such as a cellular telephone, a communication link is establishedbetween the user's device and a cell. However, a cell has a limited areaof communication or network coverage (also referred to range). Thus, anetwork is typically made up of a number of cells. As the user devicemoves from one cell (a source cell) to another cell (a target cell), aprocedure referred to as “handover” or “handoff” is used to establish anew communication link between the user and the target cell and drop thecommunication link between the mobile device equipment and the sourcecell. A handover is generally triggered when the current connections ofthe user's device do not meet the radio connection's requirements interms of signal strength. The changing of the connections during thehandover operation can be affected by configuration of the handoverprocedures and the setting or parameters corresponding to the user'scommunication device and the cells.

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a handover is typicallyinitially triggered by a measurement report sent from a user equipmentto a serving eNB (evolved nodeB) or a serving cell. The serving eNBdetermines how the user equipment shall take measurements and under whatconditions a measurement report shall be triggered and sent to the eNB.Different networks and network deployments can have different detailedbehavior, but in most cellular networks it is natural to triggerhandover when the signal reception from the target cell is stronger thanthe signal reception of the source cell. In the measurement report, theuser equipment includes the reason for the handover trigger (e.g. targetcell signal stronger than source cell) and measurements of the referencesignal strength (RSRP) or quality (RSRQ) of the serving cell and severalneighboring cells (including the target cell). To reduce ping-pongeffects where the user equipment hands over repeatedly between twocells, a handover offset is added to the trigger condition. The signalfrom the target cell should be stronger than the signal from the sourcecell by a predetermined offset, such as greater than 0 dB, for example.Additionally, a timer can be used.

When a group of mobile terminals travel on a common transportationplatform (CTP), such as a bus, light rail vehicle, or train, the mobileterminals share similar mobility characteristics. Normally, the handoverof such mobile terminals have a significant impact on the total handoverperformance and perceived quality of experience and service, due to therelatively large proportion of mobile service usage by such mobileterminals.

For mobile terminals on a common transportation platform, the handoverprocedure can be designed so that optimal handover performance isachieved through utilization of the handover performance knowledge ofthe mobile terminals. Handover of mobile terminals on a CTP should beexecuted at optimal time for each mobile terminal to avoid signalingcongestion. The preparation of the target cell (such as data forwardingin a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) handover procedure) can be done inadvance, for each of the mobile terminals on the CTP. Information asabout e.g. the route and velocity of the mobile terminals on the CTP andinformation about neighboring cell relations can also be utilized in thehandover procedure.

Generally, when a number of handover failures occur, this can betypically caused by non-optimal handover parameter configuration andsettings. The parameters can include for example, but are not limitedto, received power offset between neighboring cells for handoverpurposes, often referred to as the signal strength hysteresis, and thetime to trigger which represents a delay in sending a handovermeasurement report once the signal strength hysteresis has been met.

Generally, one way of optimizing handover parameters is to run anoff-line optimization algorithm within an Operation and AdministrationMaintenance (OAM) system, and obtain optimal parameters solution forthat handover failure problem. The new parameters can be set to thenetwork, including network entities and terminals. Field engineers mayrun tests before the new parameters are formally committed. However,this process is slow and handover failures will continue to occur duringthis optimization process. Furthermore, the proposed parameters may benon-optimal by the time of implementation due to the time required todevelop the new parameters and commit them to the system, and the needfor continuous fine tuning.

Generally, conventional handover processes do not consider thecharacteristics for a group of mobile terminals with similar mobilitybehavior. It would be advantageous to be able to utilize the mobileterminals on a CTP for statistics collection in handover performancemonitoring as well as an optimization process of setting and testing ofhandover parameters.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an access and handoverprocess within a communication network that solves at least some of theproblems identified above and gain the advantages identified above.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for optimizinghandover parameters for a plurality of mobile terminals on a commontransportation platform in a network. In one embodiment the systemincludes at least a first terminal and a second terminal, and acontroller. The controller is configured to determine that each of thefirst terminal and the second terminal are on the common transportationplatform, monitor a status of a handover attempt of the first terminal,and if the handover attempt is successful, adopt a handover parametersetting of the first terminal for the second terminal.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method foroptimizing handover parameter settings for terminals on a commontransportation platform in a communication network. In one embodimentthe method includes detecting a terminal, determining that the terminalis on a common transportation platform, monitoring a first handoverperformance corresponding to the terminal, determining if a handover ofthe terminal from a source cell to a target cell is successful, andchanging a handover parameter setting for a next terminal on the commontransportation platform to a second handover parameter if the handoverof the terminal is not successful.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer programproduct. In one embodiment, the computer program product includescomputer readable code means, the computer readable code means whenexecuted in a processor device being configured to: detect a proximityof a mobile communication device to a control module associated with aphysical location of a communication network, establish a short distancecommunication link between the mobile communication device and thecontrol module, authenticate the mobile communication device, transferaccess information to the mobile communication device that will enablethe mobile communication device to access one or both of the physicallocation of the communication network and a communication network, andexecute a handover of the mobile communication device from a currentlyconnected source cell to a target cell corresponding to thecommunication network using the access information.

These and other aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodimentsbecome apparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims. Additionalaspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in thedescription that follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover,the aspects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtainedby means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of systemincorporating aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a process flow incorporatingaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a process flow incorporatingaspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of a process flow incorporatingaspects of the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a system 100, for optimizingparameter settings of mobile terminal handover on a commontransportation platform (CTP) incorporating aspects of the presentdisclosure is illustrated. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments aredirected to detecting a group of mobile terminals traveling together ona common transportation platform and collecting information of mobilitycharacteristics to improve handover performance. When the performance ofthe handover of the mobile terminals on the CTP needs to be improved,the mobile terminals on the CTP can be used to collect performancestatistics. The mobile terminals can also be used in an optimizationprocess/algorithm to facilitate cures for problems such as handoverfailure by optimizing handover parameter settings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a group 102 of mobile terminals 104 traveling on acommon transportation platform 106, generally referred to hereinafter asCTP. In one embodiment, the common transportation platform can includeone or more of a subway, bus, light rail carriage, train or ship, orother such transportation vehicle that allows a group of mobile terminalusers to gather and move together during transport. For the purposes ofthe description herein, the term “group” is generally used to refer totwo or more mobile terminals. The term mobile terminals is generallyused to refer to mobile communication devices such as cellulartelephones, smart phones, pads and tablets, computing device, or anysuitable device that is capable of communicating with a network, such asa cellular network or wireless local area network (WLAN) or any suchother network as is generally known.

Referring to FIG. 1, the common transportation platform 106 is moving inthe direction illustrated by the arrow 108, from a first or source cellarea 110 to a second or target cell area 112. As can be seen from thefigure, some of the mobile terminals 104 in the group 102 are located inthe first cell area 110. Others are located in the second cell area 112,while others are in between the first and second cell areas 110, 112. Aswill be understood, the group 102 of mobile terminals 104 will generallyapproach the fringe regions of the cell areas 110, 112 at substantiallythe same time. Thus, it is possible that handover of each of the mobileterminals 104 from cell 110 to cell 112 will occur at substantially thesame time, especially for terminals which are closely located.

When the group 102 of mobile terminals 104 travel on the commontransportation platform 106, the mobile terminals 104 will normallyhandover from the source cell 110 to the target cell 112. The triggeringpoints for the handover of each of the mobile terminals 104 from thesource cell 110 to the target cell 112 will typically be close in time.The handover procedure for each of the mobile terminals 104, includingsignaling, will be similar, from the viewpoint of the network 114. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1, typically, the first mobile terminal 116will handover very close in time or before the next mobile terminal 118,as the first mobile terminal 116 will approach the target cell 112 veryclose in time before the next mobile terminal 118.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to determiningthat the mobile terminals 104 are on a common transportation platform106, monitoring the handover procedures and modifying the handoverprocedure or handover parameters to improve or optimize handoverperformance. In one embodiment, the network 114 can comprise one or morecontrollers that include one or more processors that are operable todetect a mobile terminal on a common transportation platform 106,monitor the handover procedures and modify the handover procedure orhandover parameters to improve or optimize handover performance. In oneembodiment, the controller(s) is comprised of machine-readableinstructions that are executable by a processing device. Improving thehandover performance can include, but is not limited to, increasing thehandover success rate as well as decreasing the handover signaling load.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a process flow incorporatingaspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. In one embodiment, themobile terminals 104 are detected 202. It is then determined 204 thatthe mobile terminals 104 are on a common transportation platform 106. Inone embodiment, determining 204 that the mobile terminals are on acommon transportation platform can be carried out using conventionalwireless communication technologies as well as non-conventional wirelesscommunication technologies. For example, one way to determine a mobileterminal is on a common transportation platform 106 is through terminallocalization. The localization can be done by GPS based method or aradio fingerprint based method, where a mobile terminal measures thereceived signal strength or power from different or neighboring cells.The combination of measured power values from different cells can beused as an indicator of the location of a mobile terminal. In oneembodiment, satellite based localization can be used. A mobile terminalcan report its location information to the network 114 or thelocalization can be done at the network side. Historical records of suchmeasurements, such as past measurements, can also be used to enhance theidentification accuracy on whether a mobile terminal is on the commontransportation platform 106.

The route and timing information of the common transportation platformis also generally be known. Such information is typically maintained bythe network 114 or a vehicle information management system. Although notshown, there can be an information or communication link between thenetwork 114 and the vehicle information management system that allowssuch information to be obtained and exchanged.

When using non-conventional wireless communication technologies todetermine 204 that the mobile terminals 104 are on a commontransportation platform 106, one or more of the identifiers of themobile terminals 104 or the common transportation platform 106 can beutilized to determine that a mobile terminal is traveling with othermobile terminals 104 that are on the same common transportation platform106. For example, in one embodiment, on a common transportation platform106, certain devices or terminals 120 can be used to broadcast, usingshort distance technology communications, an identifier of the commontransportation platform 106 to the network 114 to identify that themobile terminals 104 are on the common transportation platform 106. Theshort distance communication technologies can include, but are notlimited to Bluetooth, Zigbee, near field communication and sensors. Thedevice 120 can be an onboard device, such as an accessory to a localnetwork access point that can provide mobile service to the mobileterminals 104 on the common transportation platform 106. In alternateembodiments, the short distance or range communication device 120 cancomprise a local onboard access point that can act as a relay stationbetween the mobile terminals 104 and the network 114. The distance canbe such that only the mobile terminals 104 on board the commontransportation platform 106 can communicate with the device 120. Theshort range communication device 120 is configured to transmitinformation to a cellular network via a cellular radio link between thecommon transportation platform 106 and the cellular network. The shortrange communication is only between the mobile terminals 104 on thecommon transportation platform 106 and the onboard short rangecommunication device 120, meaning there is no short range communicationbetween the onboard short range communication device 120 and a mobiledevice that is not on the common transportation platform 106. In oneembodiment, the radio link between the short range communication device120 and the cellular network is a cellular radio link that is not ashort range radio link.

In one embodiment, the identifier of the common transportation platform106 can be sent from the device 120 to the mobile terminals 104, and inturn sent by the mobile terminals 104 to the network 114. In anotherembodiment, the short distance communication can be in the oppositedirection, where the identifiers of the mobile terminals 104 aretransmitted to the device 120, and the device 120 sends the identifierinformation of mobile terminals 104 to the network 114. In oneembodiment, an on board wireless service is enabled to the mobileterminals 104 by a local onboard access point after the identifiercommunication exchange between the on board short distance communicationdevice 120 and the mobile terminals 104 is complete.

The mobile terminals 104 that receive the same identifier of device 120can be determined to be traveling on the same common transportationplatform 106. In one embodiment, the short distance communication device120 can be integrated into a tariff charging (or travel cardregistration) terminal onboard the common transportation platform 106.The mobile terminals 104 will report the received identifierinformation, such as the identifier of the onboard terminal 120 and theidentifier of the common transportation platform 106, back to thenetwork 114.

Information about the common transportation platform 106, such as themoving route, the moving schedule, the identifiers of the cells 110, 112that cover the moving route, can be used in determining 204 if themobile terminals 104 are on the common transportation platform 106. Forexample, when the common transportation platform 106 is a subway train,the route of the subway train and the timing will be known to thenetwork 114. Generally, this type of information is needed for theinformation link between the subway train management and the network114. The measured power values from neighboring cells 110, 112 along theroute, as measured by the mobile terminals 104, or the identifier ofonboard device 120 on the subway train, as reported to and by the mobileterminals 104, can be used to determine that the mobile terminals 104are on the same subway train.

After it is determined 204 that the mobile terminals 104 are travelingon a common transportation platform 106, in one embodiment, certaininformation about the mobile terminals 104 can be collected 206. Thisinformation can include, but is not limited to, the schedule and routeof the common transportation platform 106, the identifier of the commontransportation platform 106, the identifier of the onboard device 120,the identifiers of cells along or covering the route of the commontransportation platform 106, as well as the geo-location information ofeach cell or cell borders. In one embodiment, the geo-locationinformation of the intersection points of the cell borders and themobile route of the common transportation platform 106 is obtained.

In one embodiment, the handover parameters of the mobile terminals 104on the common transportation platform 106 are controlled 208 by thenetwork 114 in order to achieve improved handover performance. Thenetwork 114 monitors 210 the handover status of the group 102 of mobileterminals 104. In one embodiment, the network 114 requires the first one116 of the group 102 to use certain predetermined handover parameters inthe handover from source cell 110 to target cell 112. In one embodiment,these can be default handover parameters. The network 114 monitors theexecution of the handover of terminal 116 from cell 110 to cell 112, andthe outcome of the handover procedure. If the handover is successful,the network 114 can require that the next terminal 118 to use the sameparameter settings. In this sequence, as each of the mobile terminals104 successfully executes a handover, the network 114 will require eachsubsequent terminal 118 to use the same parameters as the prior terminal116. If a handover is not successful for a prior terminal 116, thenetwork 114 can assign or require the next terminal 118 in the group 102to use a different set of handover parameters in order to avoid ahandover failure.

In one embodiment, the network 114 of FIG. 1 can ask the mobileterminals 104 on the same common transportation platform 106 to adoptdifferent timing for respective handovers in order to avoid signalingcongestion, especially for terminals which are closely located. As willbe understood, as the group 102 of mobile terminals 104 travels togetheron the common transportation platform 106, the group 102 will reach cellboundary areas at substantially the same time. Thus, each of the mobileterminals 104 may determine that a handover is required, and may attempta handover at substantially the same time. In order to avoid thesignaling congestion that can result from all of the mobile terminals104 attempting a handover at substantially the same time, the networkcan request different handover timings for each of the mobile terminals104. In one embodiment, this can include arranging different “time totrigger” handovers for mobile terminals 104 that would otherwise performa handover at substantially the same time. This delay between handoversfor each of the mobile terminals 104 on the common transportationplatform 106 can reduce signaling congestion.

Generally, when a number of handover failures occur, this can betypically caused by non-optimal handover parameter settings. Theparameters can include for example, but are not limited to, receivedpower offset between neighboring cells for handover purposes, oftenreferred to as the signal strength hysteresis, the time to trigger whichrepresents a delay in sending a handover measurement report once thesignal strength hysteresis has been met. The aspects of the disclosedembodiments are configured to detect when handover issues or failuresoccur and optimize the handover parameters in order to avoid handoverfailure.

Typically, one way of optimizing handover parameters is to run anoff-line optimization algorithm within as an Operation andAdministration Maintenance (OAM) system, and obtain optimal parametersfor that handover location. The new parameters can be set into thenetwork, including network entities and terminals. Field engineers mayrun tests before the new parameters are formally committed. However,this process is slow and more handover failures will continue to occurduring this optimization process. Furthermore, the proposed parametersmay be non-optimal by the time of implementation due to the timerequired to develop the new parameters and commit them to the system,and the need for continuous fine tuning.

The mobile terminals 104 on the common transportation platform 106 canbe utilized to help in the fine tuning process and reduce the need forhuman intervention. Referring to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a process tooptimize handover parameters in a system incorporating aspects of thepresent disclosure is illustrated. In one embodiment, when it isdetermined that the handover performance needs to be improved, themobile terminals 104 on the common transportation platform 106 can beused to collect 302 parameter data and performance statistics. Themobile terminals 104 can also be involved in an optimization process tofacilitate a quicker cure for a handover failure.

In one embodiment, an optimization algorithm is executed 304 to suggestoptimal parameter values, using the information and data gathered by themobile terminals 104. The optimization algorithm can suggest 306 anoptimal parameter value for a handover. Once an optimal parameter valueis determined, a range of parameter values around the optimal parametervalue can be established 308. One parameter value within this range canbe assigned 310 to each of the mobile terminals 104 in the group 102 onthe common transportation platform 106. Note all the parameter valueswithin this range are considered as viable values by the optimizationalgorithm. Subsequent handovers with the test parameters are monitored312 and it is determined 314 whether a handover is successful. Themobile terminals 104 act as test terminals to determine 314 the optimalparameter setting for the network 114. This allows the mobile terminals104 to facilitate a quicker cure of handover failures in a real trafficenvironment than previously known, while at the same time reducing theneed for human intervention or testing.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a process flow incorporatingaspects of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the mobileterminals 104 are located 402 on a common transportation platform. Thelocation can be determined through any one or more of a measurementbased localization process 404, a GPS based localization process 406 ora short distance communication 408 between the mobile terminals 104 andan onboard short distance communication device 120. The communicationbetween mobile terminals 104 and the device 120 is short distance suchthat only mobile terminals on the common transportation platform canhave such communication with the device 120. In one embodiment, thedevice 120 can comprise one or more controllers that include one or moreprocessors that are operable to detect a mobile terminal on a commontransportation platform 106 and transfer data, such as the identifier ofthe mobile terminal, after the short distance communication with themobile terminal, to the network 114. In one embodiment, the device 120can comprise one or more controllers that include one or more processorsthat are operable to detect a mobile terminal on a common transportationplatform 106 and transfer data, such as the identifier of the device102, the identifier of the common transportation platform 106 to themobile terminal. The mobile terminal then transfers the identifiers ofthe device 120, and the common transportation platform 106 to thenetwork 114. In one embodiment, the controller(s) is comprised ofmachine-readable instructions that are executable by a processingdevice. It is then determined 410 that there are more than one mobileterminals 104 on the same common transportation platform.

A determination 412 is made as to whether or not a handover from asource cell 110 to a target cell 112 is successful. If yes 414, themobile terminals 104 in the group 102 operate 416 in a normal mode usingcurrently established handover parameters. In one embodiment, the mobileterminals 104 are configured 418 by the network 114 to execute handoversat different timing to avoid signaling congestion.

If the determination 412 is that the handover was not successful 420, inone embodiment, the network 114 implements an optimization mode 422. Inone embodiment, if the handover failure was due to timing, the timing ofthe next handover can be adjusted 424. For example, if the handoverfailed because the handover attempt occurred too early in time, a delaycan be implemented in the next handover attempt. If the handover failedbecause the handover attempt occurred to late in time, the next handoverwill be made to occur earlier.

After a handover failure occurs to one terminal, an optimizationalgorithm is engaged and suggests multiple viable parameter values tocure the problem. Even all those values of the parameter are viableaccording to the optimization algorithm; there is uncertainty as towhich one is the optimal value of the parameter. In one embodiment,mobile terminals can be assigned 426 different values of the parameterfor the next handover attempt at the same location where the handoverfailure has occurred and the results monitored. The mobile terminals arenot necessarily on the same vehicle as the mobile terminal havinghandover failure but they are to have handover at the same location. Forexample, if handover failure occurs to one mobile terminal at the firstcarriage of one train, the terminals on the following carriage can bemade to test different parameter values and they can have handover atthe same location where the handover failure has occurred. The differentparameter values are generally those that are determined by theoptimization algorithm or otherwise determined to be a suitable orpotentially viable parameter values. After the next handover attempt atthe same handover location as the failure has occurred, the handoverresults can be monitored. A parameter value associated with a successfulhandover attempt from the group 102 can be considered as an optimalparameter value and assigned to mobile terminals for subsequenthandovers especially for that location.

The disclosed embodiments may also include software and computerprograms incorporating the process steps and instructions describedabove. In one embodiment, the programs incorporating the processdescribed herein can be stored on or in a computer program product andexecuted in one or more computers. One or more of the devices of thesystem 100 shown in FIG. 1 can each include computer readable programcode means stored on a computer readable storage medium for carrying outand executing the process steps described herein. In one embodiment, thecomputer readable program code is stored in a memory of one or more ofthe devices shown in FIG. 1. In alternate embodiments, the computerreadable program code can be stored in memory or memory medium that isexternal to, or remote from system 100. The memory can be direct coupledor wireless coupled.

In one embodiment, the devices shown in the system 100 of FIG. 1 mayinclude and/or be coupled to one or more processor devices or computersystems that are capable of sending information to each other andreceiving information from each other. In one embodiment, the network102 can be communicatively coupled with the Internet. The devices shownin FIG. 1 can be linked together in any conventional manner, includingfor example, a modem, wireless connection, hard wire connection, fiberoptic or other suitable data link. Information can be made available tothe devices shown in the system 100 of FIG. 1 using a communicationprotocol typically sent over a communication channel or other suitablecommunication line or link.

The devices of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 are generally configuredto utilize program storage devices embodying machine-readable programsource code that is adapted to cause the apparatus to perform andexecute the method steps and processes disclosed herein. The programstorage devices incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments maybe devised, made and used as a component of a machine utilizing optics,magnetic properties and/or electronics to perform the procedures andmethods disclosed herein. In alternate embodiments, the program storagedevices may include magnetic media, such as a diskette, disk, memorystick or computer hard drive, which is readable and executable by acomputer. In other alternate embodiments, the program storage devicescould include optical disks, read-only-memory (“ROM”) floppy disks andsemiconductor materials and chips.

Each of the devices of the system 100 of FIG. 1, including the mobileterminals 104, the cells 110, 112, and the network 114 may also includeone or more processors for executing stored programs, and each mayinclude a data storage or memory device on its program storage devicefor the storage of information and data. The computer program orsoftware incorporating the processes and method steps incorporatingaspects of the disclosed embodiments may be stored in one or morecomputer systems or on an otherwise conventional program storage device.

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow optimizing parametersettings for handover of mobile terminals on a common transportationplatform. Once it is determined that a group of mobile terminals aretraveling together on a common transportation platform, the handoverparameters and performance of the mobile terminals can be monitored. Ifthe handover performance is poor or if there are handover failures, anoptimization process can be used to determine optimal handoverparameters. The values of parameter, within a range, can be tested oneach of the mobile terminals to determine an optimal parameter setting.This setting can then be propagated to each subsequent mobile terminalto be used in the handover process. The aspects of the disclosedembodiments can provide for solving handover issues on the fly in a realtraffic environment, while reducing the need for human intervention.

Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out,fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the exemplaryembodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of devicesillustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of thoseelements, which perform substantially the same function in substantiallythe same way to achieve the same results, are within the scope of theinvention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/orelements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form orembodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosedor described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter ofdesign choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only asindicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for optimizing handover parameters for a plurality of mobile terminals on a common transportation platform in a cellular network, the system comprising: a first mobile terminal and a second mobile terminal; and a controller, the controller being configured to: determine that each of the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal is on the common transportation platform; monitor a status of a handover attempt of the first mobile terminal; control and adjust parameters for handover procedure of the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal; if the handover attempt of the first mobile terminal is successful, adopt a handover parameter setting of the first mobile terminal for the second mobile terminal; and if the handover attempt of the first mobile terminal is not successful, change a handover parameter setting for the second mobile terminal.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a short range communication device on the common transportation platform, the short range communication device being configured to transmit information to and receive information from the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal over a short distance.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communication device is further configured to transmit information to the cellular network via a cellular radio link between the common transportation platform and the cellular network.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communication device is further configured to transmit to each mobile terminal of the plurality of mobile terminals on the common transportation platform at least one of the following: an identifier of the common transportation platform, and an identifier of the short range communication device.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communication device is further configured to transmit an identifier of each of the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal to the cellular network via a cellular radio link between the common transportation platform and the cellular network.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communication device is part of an access point of a local area network on the common transportation platform.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communication device is part of a relay station of the cellular network. 